Stakeholders calls for audit of safe schools’ funds over rising attacks

By Rosemary Etim Bassey

Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) has called for a comprehensive audit of funds allocated to the federal government’s Safe Schools Initiative, questioning its effectiveness more than a decade after its launch.

Also read: FG, partners reaffirm commitment to safe schools on International Day to protect education

In a statement on Thursday by its Chairperson, Funmi Falana (SAN), the group expressed concern over repeated attacks on schools and the abduction of students, saying Nigerians deserve accountability on how funds meant for school security have been spent.

The Safe Schools Initiative was launched in 2014 after the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram. It was designed to strengthen school security, protect students and teachers, and ensure safe access to education, especially in high-risk areas.

WELA said that despite significant financial commitments over the years, schoolchildren remain vulnerable to attacks, with recent incidents raising fresh concerns about the programme’s impact.

The group cited reports estimating that over 1,680 schoolchildren have been kidnapped and about 180 schools attacked since 2014, while other figures suggest more than 2,000 students abducted and hundreds of schools forced to close due to insecurity.

It noted that initial funding for the initiative included $10m each from the federal government and private sector partners, with further support from international donors. It also referenced the National Plan on Financing Safe Schools (2023–2026), which projected a funding need of N144.86bn, with N15bn allocated in 2023.

WELA questioned what has been achieved after 12 years, calling for details on funds disbursed, projects executed, schools reached, and measurable impact on reducing attacks.

“The continued abduction of schoolchildren should not be treated as a recurring news cycle,” the group said, adding that Nigerians have a right to full accountability on public funds used for child protection.

It urged the federal government and relevant agencies to publish a detailed status report, including financial records, implementation outcomes, and independent evaluations of the initiative.